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Hand Cross (mäsqäl)

Arts of Africa

CULTURE Amhara
MEDIUM Iron
  • Place Made: Ethiopia
  • DATES 19th or 20th century
    DIMENSIONS 9 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. (23.4 x 8.3 cm)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
    ACCESSION NUMBER 88.192.9
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin H. Williams
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Upper section in the shape of a Maltese cross with an X incised at the crossing and, on each arm, a circle with a dot in the center. At the end of each arm is a bar extending beyond the arm with the same circle and dot design on each end. A four-lobed element rests on each of these bars. The shaft is plain and terminates in a rectangle below which, four lobed elements are again placed. One side of the rectangle has an incised central design of a square with dots at the four corners, inset with an X and four more dots. Condition: Good with the exception of some tarnish.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
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